A Lucrative Sideline: Editing Non-Native English Scientific Writing

“The manuscript is poorly written and has too many grammatical and syntax errors. The results are very interesting from a practical standpoint but the paper needs a thorough revision to make it suitable for publication in The Journal of Astounding Scientific Developments” Enter the native English speaking editor. The measure of success is that the text is accepted after I have worked on it. Even better, the author sends me subsequent manuscripts before submission to avoid the painful step of receiving criticism. I become a trusted partner.

This course will cover two different aspects. First it will describe how to find this type of client, how to price this work, how to justify changes and handle authors’ egos as you return revised texts, and what sets this work apart from translation or from editing texts written by native speakers. The second area is the mechanics of the editing process itself. The speaker will use specific “before” and “after” examples to show a stepwise editing method that produces texts that look as if they have been written by a native speaker, and what is more, a native speaker who writes well.

There will be ample time for questions.

Training plan:

• Who are the clients?
  
  
• How do we price this work?
  
  
• How do we justify changes and handle authors’ egos?
  
  
• What sets this work apart from translation?
  
  
• What sets this work apart from editing texts written by native speakers?
  
  
• What are the levels of editing?
  
  
• Worked examples of edits on many topics as examples (e.g. units of measure, punctuation, typical English learner errors)
  
  
• Resources for further learning and reading

Here is some feedback from others on this course's trainer:


"Very proffesional and competent trainer"
Laura Ester Hernández




"Excellent trainer! Every word counted! Thank you!"
Maria Popova

Experienced freelancers who want to diversify their services to offer editing.

- how to find this type of client
- how to price this work
- how to justify changes
- how to handle authors’ egos and build the customer relationship
- what sets this work apart from translation or from editing texts written by native speakers
- how to edit this type of text, using planned stages and worked examples

None

Part One
- Why I have developed this sideline
- Why this sideline might be for you
- Who are the clients?
- Where do we find them?
- Do I need to market myself differently than for my translation work?
- How do we price this work?
- How do we justify changes and handle authors’ egos?
- What sets this work apart from translation?
- What sets this work apart from editing texts written by native speakers?
Part Two
- What are the levels of editing?
- How do we decide which to use?
- How do you edit? Line by line? Many passes? What works reliably?
- Worked examples of edits on many topics as examples (e.g. units of measure, punctuation, typical English learner errors)
- Resources for further learning and reading

Click on the buy button on the right to purchase your seat

Steps to take your training:

To register in this session please click on the "register and pay later" button on the right. Your status will be marked as "registered" and it will indicate only your interest in the training session. Status changes to registered and paid when payment is processed and informed to ProZ.com.

To purchase your seat at this session please click on the "buy" button. Available slots are limited and will be assigned to registered and paid participants as soon as payment is reported. Early payment is advised in order to secure participation. Allow some time for payment processing if you are paying by wire transfer.

Important: Those that purchase a seat in advance may be able to pay an "early bird" or cheaper price, and those that confirm participation later or last minute, may likely get to pay a higher fee. In some training sessions a price increase based on the number of registrants may also apply, i.e. the first 15 registered pay one price, the next 10 pay a a slightly higher price etc.

Early payment is advised in order to secure participation and help reach the course minimum participation - unfortunately, courses may occasionally be cancelled or rescheduled, if the confirmed participation in advance is very low.

Virtual platform system requirements

For PC-based Users:

• Required: Windows® 8, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Required: Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Recommended: Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with 2GB of RAM (recommended)

For Mac®-based Users:

• Required: OS X 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite
• Required: Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Required: Intel processor (1GB of RAM or better recommended)

To Use VoIP (microphone and speakers or headset):

• Required: Fast Internet connection (384 kbps or more recommended)
• Required: speakers or headset (USB headset recommended)
• NOT required: Microphone - attendees can communicate with the trainer through incorporated chat.

Recommendations

• For the visual section of the training course, we recommend that you have a 64kbps link. This means using an ISDN line or Broadband. Wireless connection is NOT recommended.
• For the audio section of the training course, we recommend that you have a headset or speakers.
• We recommend that you log in 30 minutes in advance of the start time to prepare for the training course.

Courses will be open half an hour before the start time. Please login before the start time to ensure that everything on your system is working correctly.

Karen Tkaczyk    View feedback | View all courses

Bio: Karen Tkaczyk grew up in the UK. She has an MChem in chemistry with French from the University of Manchester and a diploma in French and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Cambridge. She worked in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries before moving to the US, having children, and then switching careers. She started her translation practice in in 2005. Since then Karen has been translating French into English, localizing and editing English, and training other translators, mainly in the area of scientific and technical writing, editing and quality assurance. In 2021 she began working for MasterWord (Houston, Texas) as Director of Life Sciences Solutions. Karen is ATA-certified (French to US English) and a Fellow of the ITI (Qualified for French to UK English). She works from home in the Denver, Colorado, area. She is heavily involved in the American Translators Association, and currently serves as its Secretary. She tweets at @ChemXlator. See https://www.mcmillantranslation.com/ for more information.